Revision as of 17:19, August 23, 2012

The Confundus Charm is a charm that causes a person or animated object to become highly confused. There appears to be varying degrees of inflicted confusion, ranging from tricking a person about a specific issue to making them lose all semblance of common sense, similar to the Imperius Curse, even to the point of endangering themselves.[1] The incantation is "Confundo."

In 1997, under Dumbledore's portrait's instructions, Severus Snape used this charm on Mundungus Fletcher, so that the latter could suggest using seven identical Potters (by means of the Polyjuice Potion) to the other members of the Order of the Phoenix when they moved Harry from Privet Drive.

In 1938, Albus Dumbledore may have used the Confundus Charm on Mrs. Cole; since the latter did not seem to facilitate Dumbledore's attempt to take Tom Marvolo Riddle to Hogwarts, and was said to be an "inconveniently sharp woman," Dumbledore waved his wand and showed her a blank piece of paper, and her eyes went briefly out of focus. She then let Dumbledore take Riddle without further questions, saying the blank paper was "perfectly in order."[4]

Etymology

Confundus, as well as the incantation Confundo, are derived from the Latin verb confundo (confundo-confudi-confusum-confundere), "to confuse, to perplex." They could also be derived from the English word "confound". "Confundo" also means "I confuse" in Portuguese.

Notes and references

↑If the Confundus Charm was the spell used on Ron Weasley in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, it was strong enough to make him unable to protect himself and inclined to injure himself through recklessness, as he did in summoning the brains.